“Mrs. Carter has been the nation’s leading mental health advocate for much of her life. First in the Georgia governor’s mansion, then in the White House, and later at The Carter Center, she urged improved access to care and decreased stigma about issues surrounding mental health,” the Carter family said.

The family used the announcement to also draw attention to the plight of millions of other Americans also suffering the same plight.

“One in 10 older Americans have dementia, a condition that affects overall mental health. We recognize, as she did more than half a century ago, that stigma is often a barrier that keeps individuals and their families from seeking and getting much-needed support,” the family said.

“We hope sharing our family’s news will increase important conversations at kitchen tables and in doctor’s offices around the country,” they said.

The Carter family called on the pubic to respect their privacy and praised caregivers.

“The universality of caregiving is clear in our family, and we are experiencing the joy and the challenges of this journey. We do not expect to comment further and ask for understanding for our family and for everyone across the country serving in a caregiver role,” the family concluded.

In February, it was announced that former President Jimmy Carter was suspending medical care and receiving only end-of-life hospice care.

“After a series of short hospital stays, former President Jimmy Carter today decided to spend his remaining time at home with his family and receive hospice care instead of additional medical intervention,” the Carter Center said in a statement posted to Twitter Feb. 18.